“The benefit is the time to do something you really care about. The sacrifice is that you must prove to everyone- your sources, your editors and your readers- that your story is worth their time. You must believe in yourself and in your project, because you have a lot of big people to convince.”
Marketing your work is not an easy feat. Authors are rejected on a regular basis- even the famous ones- for good books. James Lee Burke’s Lost Get-Back Boogie was rejected 52 times from publishers across New York. When he finally got it published by Louisiana State University Press, the novel was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize and he even got a movie contract.
So first things first, as a freelance writer, you need to embrace rejection and just let it go. “The road may be long and hard. But let’s hit the road.”
When you’re deciding who to give your work to, go to a magazine first. They pay more than a newspaper. However, the good thing about a newspaper is they need a lot of copy- so they’re not a total loss.
When you’re trying to sell your story, you’re going to need to write a query letter to sell your idea to the editor. You query should include the significance and timeliness of timeliness of your article. You’re letter should include the proposed length of the article and ultimately, why it should be printed in this particular magazine or newspaper. Don’t forget to include your qualifications, your sources, and self-addressed, stamped envelope as well as your e-mail address.
You should also include a cover letter. If in a few weeks you haven’t heard a response, you can also send a follow-up letter as well.
Now, each story should receive a unique pitch. Also, write about something that you’re an expert in and you’re the only one that can write about it. If you prove that to an editor- then they’ll have to hire you. When you send you’re query letter, include clips of something else you’ve written that pertain to your idea you’re pitching.
Good luck! Keep calm, and query on!
Feature Writing 